Computer for a reproducing medium

0001This is a Division of application Ser. No. 08/990,981 filed Dec. 15, 1997. The disclosure of the prior applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0002The present invention relates to a computer, and more particularly to a computer for a reproducing medium having a function for indicating related information of the reproducing medium.

0003Recently, various types of information reproducing media using CD (compact disc) media come into the market. The CD was generally used as a CD audio disc at first. Nowadays, the CD-ROM is popular mainly for a computer. The CD-ROM includes the photo-CD, enhanced music CD (hereinafter called CD-extra) and video-CD. Particularly, the CD-extra and photo-CD are also included in the multisession CD having a plurality of sessions. In each session, a lead-in area and a lead-out area are provided.

0004Furthermore, recently, the personal computer has been improved to have reproducing programs for reproducing not only the photo-CD and video-CD, but also have reproducing programs for the CD-Audio so as to reproduce the music CD.

0005On the other hand, the personal computer has come to be communicated with external equipments through networks for easily exchanging information each other. For example, in the Internet, a user activates a browser and input an address of a server which has desired information so as to freely access the server.

0006There is a server having a function to retrieve the address by a keyword. Therefore, even if a desired address is not known directly, if the user accesses the server having the retrieval function, the desired address can be obtained indirectly by the server.

0007For a high speed process, it is possible to activate a plurality of programs in time sharing and operate a plurality of functions in parallel. For example, a reproducing program and a browser program of a music CD are activated in parallel, and the music CD is played, while related information of the music CD such as title of the CD, name of music can be displayed on a display.

0008However, in this case, first the user must presume one of keywords of the related information such as a name of singer of the music CD to be played, and operate to activate the browser of the personal computer by the presumed keyword, thereby obtaining an address of the related information from the server having the retrieval function. Therefore, the related information is obtained by the address. Thus, a problem that a complicated operation is needed arise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0009An object of the present invention is to provide a computer for a reproducing medium where related information of the reproducing medium is automatically indicated when the reproducing medium is set in the computer.

0010According to the present invention, there is provided a computer for a reproducing medium, comprising reading means for reading identification information from a medium set in the computer for identifying the medium, means for obtaining related information about the medium in accordance with the identification information read from the medium, and control means for controlling displaying of the obtained related information on a display.

0011The computer has storing means storing addresses of the related information, and obtaining means for obtaining related information from a server which has the related information corresponding to the address, and a program for displaying obtained related information.

0012In an aspect of the invention, the related information is stored in a medium other than the set medium, and the related information stored in the other medium is read and stored in the computer.

0013The related information corresponding to the identification is obtained from a server.

0014The computer further has manual input means for correlating the obtained related information with an address and storing the correlated information.

0015The computer further comprises means for transmitting the identification information to a server so that corresponding related information is obtained.

0016Retrieving means is provided for retrieving addresses of related information corresponding to the identification information.

0017The present invention further provides a computer for a reproducing medium, comprising reading means for reading address of related information from a medium set in the computer, means for obtaining related information corresponding to the read-out address, and control means for controlling displaying of the obtained related information on a display.

0018These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram showing a computer for a CD player according to the present invention;

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a flowchart showing an operation of a controller in the computer for automatically activating a reproducing program of a CD;

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a flowchart showing an operation of the controller for selecting a session to be reproduced of a CD-extra;

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flowchart showing another operation of the controller for deciding priority of a session to be reproduced of the CD-extra;

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flowchart showing an operation of the controller for automatically calling identification information of the CD;

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a schematic diagram showing a retrieval table stored in the computer;

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a schematic diagram showing another retrieval table in the computer;

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a diagram showing an example of information on a display;

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flowchart showing another operation of the controller for automatically calling identification information of the CD; and

0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a schematic diagram showing a further retrieval table in the computer;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

0029Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a computer <b>1</b> for a CD player according to the present invention has functions for automatically activating a reproducing program of a CD <b>8</b> set in the player and automatically calling related information of the CD.

0030The computer <b>1</b> comprises a controller <b>2</b>, a reading section <b>7</b> for reading information recorded on the CD <b>8</b>, an input unit <b>9</b> for manually inputting information, and a display <b>10</b> for displaying the information. The controller <b>2</b> has control programs at least such as an automatic activation program for automatically activating a reproducing program corresponding to the type of CD, a selection information deciding program for deciding priority reproduction of a session of the CD-extra, and an automatic calling program for automatically calling the related information of the CD. The reading section <b>7</b> has a hardware such as a pickup, and a driver for driving the pickup.

0031Furthermore, a plurality of programs such as CD-Audio reproducing program <b>3</b>, photo-CD reproducing program <b>4</b> and video-CD reproducing program <b>5</b>, a RAM <b>6</b> for storing the selection information and a CD-ROM reproducing program, and a database <b>18</b> having a retrieval table <b>18</b><i>a </i>are provided in the computer <b>1</b>.

0032These elements are connected to each other through a bus-line <b>11</b>. The bus-line <b>11</b> is further connected to an external communication channel <b>12</b> which is connected to servers <b>13</b>, <b>14</b>, <b>15</b> and <b>20</b>.

0033Various operations of the computer <b>1</b> will be described hereinafter.

0034First, an automatic activating function of the reproducing program will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. <b>2</b>. Such a function is operated by the automatic activating program of the controller <b>2</b>.

0035At a step S<b>1</b>, when the CD <b>8</b> is set in the CD player, the controller <b>2</b> controls the reading section <b>7</b> to drive the CD <b>8</b> and read information (TOC information) recorded on a lead-in area of a first session (innermost session). Thus, the driver of the reading section <b>7</b> is operated to drive the pickup and motor to read the TOC information. The read information is produced.

0036At a step S<b>2</b>, the information such as control bit, address bit, minute, second, and frame number is obtained from the TOC information. The control bit is used to identify whether the first session is the one of a CD-Audio or the one of a CD-ROM. The address bit is used to identify whether the CD <b>8</b> has a single session (namely, only a first session is provided) or a multisession such as CD-extra.

0037At a step S<b>3</b>, the value of address bit is detected, and it is determined whether the CD <b>8</b> has the single session or the multisession by the address bit. If the CD <b>8</b> has the multisession, the program goes to a step S<b>4</b>. If the CD <b>8</b> has the single session, the program goes to a step S<b>5</b>.

0038At the step S<b>4</b>, since a start time of the next session is obtained by the TOC information, a lead-in area of a second session of the CD is read by the reading section <b>7</b>. The program returns to steps S<b>2</b> and S<b>3</b>. Thereafter, steps S<b>4</b>, S<b>2</b> and S<b>3</b> are repeated until the last session is read, and the program goes to the step S<b>5</b>.

0039The type of CD <b>8</b> is determined in accordance with the information in each session as described hereinafter.

0040At the step S<b>5</b>, it is determined whether the CD <b>8</b> is the CD-Audio or the CD-ROM by the control bit in the TOC. If the CD <b>8</b> is the CD-Audio, the program goes to a step S<b>6</b>. If the CD <b>8</b> is the CD-ROM, the program goes to a step S<b>9</b>.

0041Since the type of CD-Audio includes the CD-extra, the CD-extra is discriminated from the CD-Audio. Therefore, at the step S<b>6</b>, it is determined whether the CD-Audio has the single session or the multisession by the address bit in the TOC of the first session. If the CD-Audio has the single session, the CD-Audio is identified. The program goes to a step S<b>7</b> where the CD-Audio reproducing program <b>3</b> is activated. Thus, a previously selected music (for example, first music) in the CD-audio is reproduced.

0042If the CD-Audio has the multisession at the step S<b>6</b>, the CD-extra is identified. The program goes to a step S<b>8</b> where a CD-extra reproducing program is activated, which will be described hereinafter.

0043On the other hand, when the CD-ROM is determined at the step S<b>5</b>, since the CD-ROM includes the photo-CD and the video-CD, it is necessary to discriminate the type of CD-ROM. Therefore, at the step S<b>9</b>, it is determined whether the CD-ROM has the single session or the multisession by the address bit in the same manner as the step S<b>6</b>.

0044If the CD-ROM has the multisession, the CD-ROM is supposed as the photo-CD. The photo-CD is discriminated from the CD-ROM by a directory name. The program goes to a step S<b>10</b> where the reading section <b>7</b> is operated to read a VTOC (Volume Table of Contents) in an LSN<b>16</b> (physical address <b>00</b>:<b>02</b>:<b>16</b>) of the last session. Since the VTOC comprises a PVD (Primary Volume Descriptor) which has a pointer for a root directory for the directory name, the VTOC is read. At a step S<b>12</b>, the directory name in the root directory is obtained.

0045If the CD-ROM has the single session at the step S<b>9</b>, the CD-ROM is supposed as the video-CD. Thus, as aforementioned, the video-CD is discriminated by the directory name. The program goes to a step S<b>11</b> where a VTOC in an LSN<b>16</b> of the first session is read by the reading section <b>7</b>. At the step S<b>12</b>, the directory name in the root directory is obtained.

0046At a step S<b>13</b>, directory names in the respective root directories are retrieved.

0047If a directory name “VCD” is found out, the video-CD is identified. The program goes to a step S<b>14</b> where the video-CD reproducing program <b>5</b> is activated.

0048If a directory name “PHOTO CD” is found out, the photo-CD is identified so that the program goes to a step S<b>15</b> where the photo-CD reproducing program <b>4</b> is activated.

0049If neither “VCD” nor “PHOTO CD” is found out, the CD-ROM is identified. The program goes to a step S<b>16</b> where a reproducing program stored in the set CD-ROM is stored in the RAM <b>6</b> and the program is activated. If there are a plurality of programs to be activated, one of them is activated in accordance with selected or predetermined priority by the user.

0050Thus, the operability of the computer is further improved.

0051The operation of the CD-extra at the step <b>8</b> will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. <b>3</b>.

0052In order that the CD-extra can be reproduced by an ordinary CD player and the CD-extra can be used in a CD-ROM drive, an audio track of the CD-extra is provided in the first session, and a data track thereof is provided in the second session.

0053Heretofore, when the CD-ROM drive detects a multisession CD, the last session (namely, data track) is read first. Since the CD player for music can not detect the multisession CD, the first session is read first.

0054In the embodiment, since it is possible to reproduce both of the music CD and the CD-ROM, it is more convenient for the user if one of the sessions of the CD-extra can be selected as priority reproduction. Therefore, for the activation of the CD-extra (step S<b>8</b> of FIG. <b>2</b>), steps S<b>31</b> and S<b>32</b> are added as shown in FIG. <b>3</b>.

0055Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, when the CD-extra is identified at the step S<b>6</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, selection information stored in the RAM <b>6</b> is read at a step S<b>31</b>. The selection information instructs which session should be reproduced first. If the selection information is “1”, priority reproduction of the audio session is instructed. If the selection information is “0”, priority reproduction of the data session is instructed.

0056At a step S<b>32</b>, it is determined whether the selection information is the priority reproduction of the audio session or not. If yes, the CD-audio reproducing program <b>3</b> is activated in the same manner shown at the step S<b>7</b> of FIG. <b>2</b>. If not, the reproducing program stored in the CD-extra is stored in the RAM <b>6</b> and activated in the same manner shown at the step S<b>16</b>.

0057Thus, it is more convenient to reproduce the CD-extra.

0058<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> shows an operation of the controller <b>2</b> for deciding the selection information of FIG. <b>3</b>. The deciding program is periodically operated.

0059At a step S<b>41</b>, it is determined whether the selection is requested or not (for example, a selection request key on the display is clicked). If not, the program is terminated. If yes, the display <b>10</b> is operated to display a selection mode at a step S<b>42</b>.

0060At a step S<b>43</b>, it is determined whether priority session is input by the user or not. If yes, the program goes to a step S<b>45</b> where the select information stored in the RAM <b>6</b> is updated based on the input.

0061If not at the step S<b>43</b>, the program goes to a step S<b>44</b> where it is determined whether the selection mode is canceled or not. If not, the program goes to the step S<b>43</b> which is repeated until the selection mode is canceled.

0062Thus, the user can select the priority reproduction of the session of the CD-extra at will.

0063Other than the CD-extra, a CD having multisession can also be used in the embodiment.

0064An automatic calling function of the related information of the CD will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. <b>5</b>. Such a function is operated by the automatic calling program of the controller <b>2</b>. The operation can be performed in parallel with the operation shown in FIG. <b>2</b>.

0065As the related information of the CD, for example of the music CD, title of a music, list of songs, picture used on a jacket, words of song, home page of singer, and names of singer, writer, composer and player are stored.

0066At a step S<b>51</b>, it is determined whether the CD <b>8</b> is set or not. Namely, when the CD <b>8</b> is mounted on a disc tray of the reading section <b>7</b>, the reading section <b>7</b> produces a detecting signal which is periodically detected by the controller <b>2</b>. If yes, the program goes to a step S<b>52</b>. If not, the program is terminated.

0067At the step S<b>52</b>, identification information such as the TOC information and the type of CD is obtained. In the TOC information, information such as minute, second and frame number is used for identifying the CD. The information of the type of CD, which is described in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, is used for retrieving data at a high speed.

0068At a step S<b>53</b>, data of the retrieval table <b>18</b><i>a </i>stored in the database <b>18</b> is retrieved for retrieving a keyword (for example, name of artist or title, if the CD <b>8</b> is the music CD) corresponding to the identification information.

0069<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows an example of the retrieval table <b>18</b><i>a</i>. Here, the table is made in accordance with the type of CD, thereby reducing work-load of the retrieval.

0070Furthermore, it is not necessary to correspond one piece of identification information to one keyword. For example, the identification information <b>1</b> may correspond to a plurality of keywords <b>1</b>, <b>2</b>, and reversely, a plurality pieces of identification information <b>2</b>, <b>3</b> may correspond to the keyword <b>3</b>.

0071The database <b>18</b> can be made by the user by manually inputting data, or obtained by other reproducing medium (for example, a CD which stores a database).

0072Furthermore, information on keyword can be stored in the CD. For example, a CD text of character information stored in a sub code can be used as a keyword. In this case, the process at the step S<b>53</b> is omitted.

0073The server <b>13</b> has a keyword retrieving section <b>16</b> having a database larger than the database <b>18</b>. The server <b>13</b> is accessed by the identification information, thereby obtaining keywords which are stored in order corresponding to the identification information. Thus, the database shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is made.

0074At a step S<b>54</b>, it is determined whether the keyword is obtained or not. If yes, the program goes to a step S<b>55</b>. If not, the program goes to a step S<b>59</b>.

0075At the step S<b>55</b>, an address of the keyword is retrieved.

0076<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows a retrieval table. As the table shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, it is not necessary to correspond one keyword to one address. For example, the keyword <b>1</b> may correspond to a plurality of addresses <b>1</b>, <b>2</b>, and reversely, a plurality of keywords <b>2</b>, <b>3</b> may correspond to the address <b>3</b>.

0077As aforementioned, the database can also be made by the user by manually inputting data, or obtained by other reproducing medium. Furthermore, information on keyword can be stored in the set CD. In this case, the retrievals of keyword and address are omitted.

0078The server <b>15</b> having an address retrieving section <b>17</b> is accessed by the identification information, thereby obtaining addresses which are stored in order corresponding to the keywords. Thus, the database shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is made.

0079AT a step S<b>56</b>, it is determined whether the corresponding address is obtained or not. If yes, the program goes to a step S<b>61</b> where the related information corresponding to the obtained address is displayed on the display <b>10</b>.

0080The address is used as an address for the home page used in the Internet.

0081The related information such as a home page is obtained by accessing the server <b>14</b> for the retrieved address through the channel <b>12</b>.

0082Furthermore, it is possible to obtain the related information of the corresponding address from a CD-ROM which stores the related information without using the network.

0083At the step S<b>56</b>, if the corresponding address is not obtained, the program goes to a step S<b>57</b> where the display <b>10</b> is operated to display a request to the user for inputting an additional keyword.

0084<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> shows an example of information for the request on the display <b>10</b>.

0085At a step S<b>58</b>, it is determined whether a data of additional keyword is input by the user or not. If yes, the program returned to the step S<b>55</b>. If a data of cancel is input, the program is terminated.

0086On the other hand, at the step S<b>59</b>, since the keyword is not obtained by the database, the server <b>13</b> having the keyword retrieving section <b>16</b> is accessed so as to transmit the identification information. The server <b>13</b> retrieves a corresponding keyword which is applied to the computer <b>1</b>.

0087At a step S<b>60</b>, it is determined whether the corresponding keyword is obtained or not. If yes, the program goes to the step S<b>55</b>. If not, the program goes to the step S<b>57</b>.

0088Thus, it is possible to automatically display the related information.

0089In the embodiment, although the address is retrieved by the database <b>18</b>, the address may be retrieved by the server <b>15</b> having the address retrieving section <b>17</b>, as aforementioned. In this case, the computer <b>1</b> transmits the keyword to the server <b>15</b> for requesting the retrieval of the address.

0090If the keyword is retrieved by the database in the computer <b>1</b> at steps S<b>53</b>, S<b>54</b>, and if the address can not be obtained, the retrieval of the address is requested to the server <b>15</b> having the address retrieving section <b>17</b> for obtaining the corresponding address.

0091Furthermore, it is possible to retrieve the keyword only by the server <b>13</b> having the keyword retrieving section <b>16</b> without using the database <b>18</b>. Alternatively, all of the keyword and the address can be retrieved by the servers <b>13</b> and <b>15</b>. In the former case, the computer <b>1</b> transmits the identification information to the server <b>13</b> for requesting the retrieval of keyword. In the latter case, the computer <b>1</b> transmits the keyword to the server <b>15</b> for requesting the retrieval of address.

0092In the embodiment, the keyword is retrieved by the identification information, and the address is retrieved by the keyword. Thus, the general retrieval functions of the servers <b>13</b> and <b>15</b> can be easily used.

0093As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, if a server <b>20</b> having a retrieving section <b>19</b> is provided for directly retrieving the address by the identification information, the address is directly retrieved without retrieving the keyword.

0094<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shows another embodiment of the automatic calling function of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> in which the address is directly retrieved by the identification information. The operation may be performed in parallel with the operation shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>

0095At a step S<b>91</b>, it is determined whether the CD <b>8</b> is set or not in the same manner as the step S<b>51</b> of FIG. <b>5</b>. If yes, the program goes to a step S<b>92</b>. If not, the program is terminated.

0096At the step S<b>92</b>, the identification information such as the TOC information and the type of CD is obtained in the same manner as the step S<b>52</b> of FIG. <b>5</b>.

0097At a step S<b>93</b>, data of the retrieval table <b>18</b><i>a </i>stored in the database <b>18</b> is retrieved for retrieving an address (for example, an address of the home page of the singer, if the identification information is for the music CD) corresponding to the identification information.

0098<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> shows a retrieval table. As aforementioned, the table is made in accordance with the type of CD, thereby reducing work-load of retrieval. Furthermore, it is not necessary to correspond one piece of identification information to one address. For example, the identification information <b>1</b> corresponds to a plurality of addresses <b>1</b>, <b>2</b>. Reversely, a plurality pieces of identification information <b>2</b>, <b>3</b> correspond to the address <b>3</b>.

0099As aforementioned, the database can be made by the user or obtained by other reproducing medium. It is also possible to further store the information on address in the other reproducing medium. In this case, the process at the step S<b>93</b> is omitted.

0100The server <b>20</b> is accessed by the identification information, thereby obtaining addresses which are stored in order corresponding to the identification information. Thus, the database shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is made.

0101AT a step S<b>94</b>, it is determined whether the corresponding address is obtained or not. If yes, the program goes to a step S<b>99</b> where the related information corresponding to the obtained address is displayed on the display <b>10</b>.

0102In order to display the related information such as a home page, the browser program is activated to access the server <b>14</b> for the retrieved address through the channel <b>12</b>. The obtained information is reformed to be displayed on the display.

0103As aforementioned, it is possible to obtain the related information corresponding to the address by the CD-ROM which stores the related information.

0104If the corresponding address is not obtained at the step S<b>94</b>, the program proceeds to a step S<b>95</b> where the server <b>20</b> having the retrieving section <b>19</b> of a large database is accessed so as to transmit the identification information. The server <b>20</b> retrieves the corresponding address which is applied to the computer <b>1</b>.

0105At a step S<b>96</b>, it is determined whether the corresponding address is obtained or not. If the address is obtained, the program proceeds to the step S<b>99</b>.

0106If not, the program proceeds to a step S<b>97</b> where the display <b>10</b> is operated to display a request to the user for inputting an additional keyword or address.

0107At a step S<b>98</b>, it is determined whether a keyword or address is input by the user or not. If the keyword is input, the program is returned to the step S<b>93</b>. If the address is input, the program proceeds to the step S<b>99</b>.

0108Thus, the related information can be automatically displayed.

0109It is possible to retrieve the address only by the server <b>20</b> having the retrieving section <b>19</b> without using the database of the computer.

0110In place of the CD, other reproducing medium such as a DVD may be used.

0111In accordance with the present invention, when the CD is set on the player of the computer, the related information of the CD is automatically obtained. Consequently, it is possible to increase the operability of the computer.

0112While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.